Low Cost Ways to Provide Classes for Your Preschool-Age Children

Let's face it, we are all either scrimping for cash or saving for an uncertain future. Unfortunately, many parents can no longer afford to put their children in dance classes, sports classes, etc. The cost of these types of classes ranges greatly and if you have not researched your local parks and recreation department, I highly recommend taking that step. Some towns offer extremely low cost classes that are fun and cheap! If you live in one of the cities that does not offer preschool classes or offers them at an inflated rate, I may have some ideas for you.

Option 1:

Hold your own class! This may sound daunting, especially if you don't favor yourself a creative parent, but there are many simple premises that will entertain preschoolers for 30-45 minutes. My recommendation is to hold a class twice a week for 3-5 toddlers in your home. They should be within one year in age so that they are on a similar level of learning. A "dance" class could be as easy as learning a couple of dance steps online and teaching them to the kids. They love dressing up in tutus and will thrive with even the simplest of instruction. Music is a must and so is a treat at the end. You can either ask parents to rotate bringing treats or hand out dumdum suckers at the end. You can have each session last for 4-6 weeks and if you are ambitious, hold a performance at the end.

You can use this same premise with other types of classes. You can hold a "Learn to Write Your Name" class. You provide each child with sheets of paper with their name dotted and teach them how to trace the letters. You offer rewards like stickers and coloring sheets to the kids when they start to show progress. This class can be combined with learning the alphabet for children who pick up on this quickly. I recommend having the children work for 10-15 minutes then let them dance to a silly song to get the giggles out, then work again for another 10-15 minutes. Again, a snack or sucker at the end is a great motivator for most kids!

Option 2:

Get your children involved in local church activities. If you belong to a church that does not offer preschool type activities, ask and try to get them started. Larger churches may already have preschool age activities in place. If you attend a smaller church, try seeking out larger churches for weekday class offerings.

Option 3:

This may sound simple but go to the park! When you take your child to the park, bring a soccer ball or other sporting equipment and starting playing. Chances are that other children will want to join in. Although this is not officially a "class", it is a great opportunity to involve your child with other children in a learning environment.

These ideas are things that came to mind during my quest to provide appropriate socialization and fun for my toddler. Use your own thoughts, talents and experiences to create a plan for your child. I hope these ideas become a jumping board for your family!